Pages

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Little is Much when God is in it

Have you ever noticed that when people make the statement, “He’s gonna make something of himself one day”, that we always tend to equate that with monetary and/or social success. We automatically think that means they are going to be rich. Our minds seem to be pre-programmed to put a dollar value on our definition of being successful in life. To most of us success is spelled M-O-N-E-Y.

We are readily impressed with people in high profile vocations such as doctors, lawyers, business executives, professional sports figures etc. We admire them and look up to them. For some reason we put a higher premium on those people whose jobs seem so important and perhaps even a little exciting. We even day dream about what we would do if we had that kind of lifestyle and the means to make it possible. We dream of being successful.

But someone who has dedicated their life to the ministry and maybe doesn’t have a very high profile or income or a very big following, doesn’t invoke that same concept of “making it big” in our minds. We simply look at the outward evidence of “success” and are neglecting to see the true meaning of “making it big” as manifested in the lives of those in ministry. We can’t see the inner evidence or the hearts of all the people touched by those dedicated to discipleship. We definitely have the wrong idea of what success is all about.

Success is:* Putting Christ first in our lives.* Enjoying what you do for a living.* Liking who you are at the end of the day.* Being the same person at work that you are at home.* Praying for others on a daily basis* Teaching the Word to a lost and dying world.* Serving others

Now I am not saying that people that are financially well off are not Christians. That isn’t what I am saying at all. I just think that we need to re-evaluate what our idea of success really is and what it should be.

Success isn’t measured in numbers. It is measured in substance.

When we serve the Lord with our whole heart. When we are praying daily for the needs of others. When we love others as Christ loved us. When we deny ourselves and pick up the cross and follow Jesus…

We are successful.

“He who trusts in his riches will fall.But the righteous will flourish like foliage.”Proverbs 11:28

5 comments:

Beth, You are so right! Thank you for drawing our attention to the people who are truly successful. The people who "leave it all on the field" each and every day. The ones who will one day hear the words we all long for, "Well done thou good and faitful servant"!

Thank You for encouraging me through your blog & through the comments you have left on mine. You are a dear friend. I look forward to meeting you one day.

You are reminding me of a post I wrote about us being a part of an upside down kingdom. In the world, those things are a measurement for "success" - but as we know the LAST will be FIRST in God's kingdom.

Beth-thanks for stoping by my blog. Yes, I am a women of God, not too sure about the "amazing". You see, my story is full of pain, bad choices but in the end...He has prevailed. He is indeed my success!!